The proposed regulations would ban future short-term rentals, both whole-house and rentals within the owner’s primary residence, in unincorporated parts of Buncombe County unless they were located within commercial zones or in an open-use district, among other changes. Existing short-term rentals would not be impacted by the changes.
The Stop the Harm Audit’s key overall findings revolve around the availability of data, equity training, affordable housing and hiring practices, according to the presentation by Adrian Carter, project lead and founder of the Carter Development Group.
Failure to correct the deficiencies could threaten the financial viability of the hospital system. The majority of patients in Western North Carolina are on Medicare, Medicaid or uninsured.
Our reporter tries his hand at acting, police work and the grocery biz.
Dr. Scott Joslin is one of more than 130 doctors who signed a public letter in October decrying HCA Healthcare for “gutting” the local health care system and is the physician most cited — 17 times — in a lawsuit against HCA filed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein in December.
In 2023, several local outlets surged their news operations, bringing new resources, programs and reporters into the mix.
Community members offer thoughts on crime, panhandling and more in 2023.
Xpress reached out to dozens of local residents to discuss what keeps them hopeful heading into 2024.
Pay for educators, equity for underrepresented populations and housing affordability, as well as nationwide inflation, underpinned efforts to improve the quality of life for Asheville-area residents in 2023, as expressed by Xpress’ Year in Review survey of engaged citizens and leaders.
For two years, Stuart Smolkin, curator of the Asheville Radio Museum, has been restoring a 1946 Rock-ola 1422 jukebox. Now the machine is on display inside A-B Tech’s Elm building.
“I think people enjoy seeing the windows decorated,” says Margaret Lancaster, owner of Dog & Pony Show in downtown Asheville. “I think it’s part of what downtown stores should do just to make it special, to make it different.”
“What I told them is I’m seriously considering it,” Asheville Police Chief David Zack told Asheville Watchdog. “I’m not going to make a decision until after the first of the year.”
Inside several specialty shops along the mile-and-a-half stretch from UNC Asheville to Beaver Lake, hawkers of shoes, homebrew equipment, crystals and haircuts continue to sell their wares and services, building community amid the slower traffic, and their opinions — like their specialties — vary widely.
Project founder Jared Wheatley and Asheville entrepreneurs discuss the “You Are On Cherokee Land” sign initiative.
Two projects requiring special-use permits are on the agenda at the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment, including a proposed Level 2 Planned Unit Development on 104.19 acres for a spa resort.
“The way [my bonsai] are constructed, it’s not based on what I was taught or what the books tell you to do,” says Arthur Joura, bonsai curator at The N.C. Arboretum. “It’s based on what I’ve seen in my own experience and run through the filter of my knowledge of art.
The co-responder unit from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Medical Services will focus on mental health calls, welfare checks and involuntary commitments.
About a dozen investigators have been interviewing hospital physicians, nurses and staff, reviewing hospital communications, patient records and other documents, and analyzing systemic safety procedures to ensure minimum standards of care, according to multiple sources.
High-speed fiber internet is on its way to several rural communities in Buncombe County, thanks to a $3.3 million state grant. Nearly 1,000 households will receive fiber internet service over the next two years, according to Buncombe County Director of Economic Development Tim Love.
The community conflict reflects a larger trend statewide of community members trying to remove or restrict access to certain books in public schools and libraries.
Amid an ongoing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Western North Carolina is experiencing a surge in wildfires and elevated wildfire risk that endanger both communities and public lands.
